08 Days - Secrets of Tonkin

Day 01: Arrival
 Hanoi
Gree at airport by our driver and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi old quarter. There are no other activities planned today.


Day 02: Hanoi - City tour - Night train to Sapa (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Let's get a feel for this lovely country we are in, starting the day with a little sightseeing around Hanoi. The complex dedicated to Vietnam's hero Ho Chi Minh, honoured for his role in liberating Vietnam from colonial rule is where we start.

This gives us some insights into Vietnam's recent history. The Museum of Ethnology then we whet our appetite for some of the costume and textile traditions we see on our journey. 

Lunch is at one of local restaurants then onto the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1070, this beautiful temple was Vietnam's first University. Let us share dinner together tonight overlooking the city and celebrate our first day on tour. In the evening we board our sleeper train to Lao Cai.

Day 03: Laocai -  Sapa (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Upon our arrival in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning, we drive to Sapa town, which is 35 km away by car. We relax in the township and set off to explore its neighbourhood, the villages of Sa Seng and Hau Thao await.

Here, villagers are the Black H’mong and Giay who speak their own languages, terraced fields fill the hilly cultivated land. The Sa Seng and Hau Thao trails are narrow trails winding through small villages and open rice terraces. Arrive in Tanvan village. Stay overnight at local ethnic homestay.

Day 04: Sapa - Overnight train (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Sin Chai is situated in a region of breathtaking beauty. We spend whole day hiking through sculpted rice terraces. We head around the rolling farmlands and past several villages of Black Hmong and Red Dzao people. 

Here, we learn about the intrigue of tribal life. In the late afternoon we board our vehicle and drive to Lao Cai railway station for a night train back to Hanoi, arriving there at about 5 am the following day.

Day 05:  Hanoi - Trang An - Dong Dinh village (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Leaving Hanoi we head out into the countryside to the very picturesque area around Trang An. Trang An is famed for its magnificent limestone mountains. After our leisurely bicycle ride we take a beautiful day walk into twisted rock formations and nearby villages. 

Having time for some peaceful boating on the river and a visit to the family home and farm of local people is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon. At night we retire to a local family for an overnight stay in a catholic village, next to the Church

Day 06: Trang An - Catba island - Lan Ha Bay - Halong Bay (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Departing from Trang An we journey to Halong City. We follow its fertile road through flatlands of the Delta flanked by green carpets of rice paddies. 

We then head north to Haiphong City. Here, we embark on a junk trip which navigates through some of the spectacular limestone peaks of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay – time to relax and appreciate the sublime beauty of the bay, while enjoying lunch on the boat. 

After we visit one of the most magnificent tunnels Cave, the junk anchors at Ong Cam for an overnight stay.

Day 07:  Lan Ha Bay - Catba island - Hanoi (Breakfast, Brunch included)
We continue exploring some of the Bay’s truly awesome scenery vertical and unusual rocks and islets emerge from the sea.
There is so much to see and something to do here, from exploring a cave, paddling our kayaks around or visiting some floating fishing villages, before we journey back to Hanoi, arriving there at about 05:30 pm.

Day 08: Hanoi - Say Goodbye - Departure (Breakfast included)
Following breakfast at hotel. Free time at leisure until the transfer to airport for your departure flight. End of our services. (Breakfast is included).

What to take during the journey:

Pack essentials for a few days away from Hanoi, including light comfortable clothes suitable for outdoor activities, jacket for evenings.

It is essential to bring your passport on this trip. Take a small day pack for walking and hiking.

We also recommend packing: comfortable walking shoes, raincoat, sun hat, insect repellent and torch.